Lubing the wheels

You hear a lot about corporate influence in the capitol, be it D.C. or Sacramento. Sometimes people say congressmen are “in bed” with lobbyists. Well here’s a case in which that was literally true.

The congressman in question is California Assembyman Michael Duvall, an Orange County Republican who received a perfect score from a “family values” group affiliated with Focus on the Family.

Duvall, who has a wife and two children, was caught on tape graphically discussing affairs with two different women, one of whom was the chief lobbyist for Sempra Energy. Duvall was—until the scandal broke last night—vice chairman of the Utilities and Commerce committee. It appears Sempra contracted the lobbyist because of her, err, access to Duvall.

UPDATE 2: I’ve just received the first press release tying Duvall’s recent voting record to the utility industry’s legislative agenda. Duvall voted against AB 64, which requires utilities to obtain 33 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. He was also, according to the Courage Campaign, “part of the Republican bloc that held California’s budget hostage.” More to come, I’m sure.